Chlordiazepoxide

Chlordiazepoxide

Definition

Chlordiazepoxide is used for the treatment of anxiety. It is a member of the benzodiazepine family of compounds, which slow the central nervous system in order to ease tension or nervousness. In the United States, it is sold under the trade name of Librium.

Purpose

Chlordiazepoxide is used for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety and management of anxiety disorders. It is also used for treating symptoms of withdrawal from acute alcoholism and alcoholic intoxication.

Description

Chlordiazepoxide is useful when treating anxiety for short periods of time. It has sedative properties that are useful for brief periods of use. It is occasionally used to stimulate appetites and is a weak analgesic. The precise mechanism of action is not known. Several hours are needed for peak levels of the drug to be achieved. Chlordiazepoxide is available in 5-, 10-, and 25-mg capsules.

Recommended dosage

Recommended dosage varies with diagnosis . The lowest possible dosage that provides relief from symptoms should be used as the drug has a high potential to cause physiological and psychological dependence. When used in adults for the treatment of moderate anxiety, the usual oral dosage is 5–10 mg three or four times per day. When used for the treatment of more severe anxiety and anxiety disorders , the usual oral dosage is 20–25 mg three or four times per day. When used by older persons, or to relieve symptoms of preoperative apprehension or anxiety, the usual oral dosage is 5 mg two to four times per day. If used as a preoperative medication, the usual dosage is 50–100 mg via intramuscular (IM) injection. When used to treat symptoms of acute alcoholism, the usual initial oral dosage is 50–100 mg, repeated as needed until agitation is adequately controlled. The recommended maximum dosage is 300 mg per day. The usual dosage for children is 5 mg two to four times per day.

Precautions

Persons with suicidal tendencies should be closely monitored, as chlordiazepoxide may lower the threshold for action and attempting suicide . The drug has a high
potential to cause physiological or psychological dependence.

Side effects

Other than physiological and psychological dependence, few adverse effects have been reported. The most commonly reported include drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty in moving. These are most common among older persons. Occasionally, transient loss of consciousness has been reported.

Other adverse effects include edema (abnormal accumulation of fluid in bodily tissues), minor menstrual irregularities, nausea, constipation and, infrequently, changes in libido (sex drive). Also, it may impair mental or physical skills needed to perform complex motor tasks. For this reason, persons using this drug are advised not to drive automobiles or operate machinery.

Interactions

Chlordiazepoxide may increase the effect of alcohol or other substances that depress central nervous system functions. For this reason, they should not be used at the same time. A small number of reports of interaction with oral anticoagulants have been received, and it may exacerbate porphyria—a group of inherited disorders in which there is abnormally increased production of substances called porphyrins.

See also Addiction; Alcohol and related disorders; Anti-anxiety drugs and abuse-related disorders

Chlordiazepoxide

Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior
COPYRIGHT 2001 The Gale Group Inc.

CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE

Chlordiazepoxide (brand name Librium) is a member of the Benzodiazepine family of drugs currently used to treat insomnia, anxiety, muscle spasms, and some forms of epilepsy. It was the first benzodiazepine to be used in clinical practice in the 1960s, as an alternative to Phenobarbital or Meprobamate, in treating psychoneuroses, anxiety, and tension. Its advantage over Barbiturates and other central nervous system depressants is that it is less toxic, especially after an overdose.

In addition to the previously mentioned uses, chlordiazepoxide is frequently used to treat the seizures or Delirium Tremens (DTs) that appear during alcohol withdrawal. In the late 1990s, Dr. Michael Mayo-Smith conducted a meta-analysis to determine if benzodiazepines effectively prevent delirium in patients experiencing DTs. Although benzodiazepines were shown to be effective, this study was not conclusive since chlordiazepoxide was the only benzodiazepine tested, and further testing is needed on other benzodiazepines before an overall claim can be made (Johnson et al., 1997).